11 student researchers receive NSF fellowships
The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program awards work in STEM-related fields.

Eleven students at UNC-Chapel Hill have received prestigious awards from the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program for their research in STEM-related fields like chemistry, biology and neuroscience.
The eight graduate students and three seniors come from highly ranked programs across the University, within the UNC College of Arts and Sciences, the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and the UNC School of Medicine.
Another 35 Carolina students received honorable mentions from the fellowship program.
Beth Mayer-Davis, dean of The Graduate School, applauded this year’s recipients for driving the creation of new knowledge needed to solve the world’s great challenges and their potential to drive innovation in our state and beyond.
“These students represent the excellence of graduate education at UNC-Chapel Hill,” Mayer-Davis said. “I am excited to see our incredible students earn this recognition through their curiosity and their drive to make an impact on the world.”
These highly competitive fellowships recognize and support outstanding students who aim to pursue research-based master’s or doctoral degrees. Fellows receive federal funding through a three-year stipend, educational support and opportunities for professional development and international research. The fellowship began in 1952.
UNC College of Arts and Sciences
- Nicholas James Boyer, senior, chemistry and computer science departments
- Dalia Chen, graduate student, biology department
- Brayden Davis, senior, Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Kara Michelle Joseph, graduate student, chemistry department
- Fowota Mortoo, graduate student, geography and environment department
- Natalia Mushegian, graduate student, geography and environment department
- Hannah-Marie Santos, senior, psychology and neuroscience department
- Bryn Werley, graduate student, chemistry department
- Gretchen Elise Wulfekuhle, graduate student, psychology and neuroscience department
UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
- Annika Cleven, graduate student, biostatistics department
UNC School of Medicine
- Isabel Ott, graduate student, genetics and molecular biology department